Fox Dealer (Now Catalyst IQ)

What Fox Dealer (Now Catalyst IQ) does

Catalyst IQ (formerly Fox Dealer) is a privately held automotive digital marketing company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Ada, Michigan. The company serves automotive dealerships, dealer groups, and OEM programs with an integrated marketing platform built around MarketAI®, a proprietary real-time market intelligence engine that tracks nearly 20,000 franchise and independent dealers across the United States and processes 30+ data signals daily to score individual VINs for advertising allocation. As of 2025, the company operates under the Catalyst IQ brand, having previously consolidated Fox Dealer, DealerOn, CDK, Conquest, and LocalPower under a unified identity.

The company's core technology is VINScore, a proprietary daily VIN-level scoring system that evaluates every vehicle on a dealer's lot against competitive pricing, days-to-sell for comparable vehicles, local market aging, and inventory movement velocity. Catalyst IQ packages this intelligence layer with five integrated solutions: digital advertising (paid search, Google Vehicle Ads, social media, display, OTT/CTV), a high-performance dealer website platform, Engage (AI-powered lead capture and anonymous-visitor identification), SEO/AEO (including generative engine optimization for ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews), and the Fox Chat live messaging platform acquired via Simplext Digital. The company is certified across more than 20 OEM programs including GM, Stellantis, Kia, Genesis, Hyundai, Toyota, and Volkswagen, enabling dealer enrollment through manufacturer-approved digital solutions and co-op funding structures.

Revenue is generated through annual subscriptions tied to OEM-certified dealer programs, with pricing varying by OEM and dealer size and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market relies on enterprise field sales with dedicated Dealer Success Managers, supplemented by self-service demo requests, content marketing, and OEM co-op program enrollment. The company has expanded beyond core automotive dealerships into adjacent verticals including heavy equipment dealers (via Yale and Hyster partnerships) and home services (HVAC, roofing, plumbing, landscaping, remodeling), and has extended geographically into Canada through a GM Canada partnership.

Name

Fox Dealer (Now Catalyst IQ)

Legal name

Catalyst IQ

Website

https://catalystiq.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Catalyst IQ (formerly Fox Dealer) is an automotive digital marketing platform serving car dealerships, dealer groups, and OEM programs through MarketAI real-time market intelligence, VINScore VIN-level scoring, and integrated digital advertising, websites, and AI-powered lead capture solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Marketing Software

akta.pro primary industry

Industry/Domain Analytics Solutions & Accelerators (BPAEAHAK)

Keywords

• Automotive digital marketing
• Dealer advertising platform
• Real-time market intelligence
• Inventory marketing software
• Lead capture solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Dealer Marketing Subscriptions: Catalyst IQ provides automotive digital marketing services to car dealerships on a subscription basis. Services include MarketAI platform access, digital advertising management, website solutions, SEO/AEO, and lead capture tools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Catalyst IQ is a full-service automotive digital marketing platform for car dealerships. Powered by MarketAI, a real-time market intelligence engine tracking nearly 20,000 franchise and independent dealers, the platform delivers integrated digital advertising, SEO/AEO, high-performance dealer websites, and AI-powered lead capture to help dealerships move inventory faster. Its offerings are sold primarily as recurring dealer marketing subscriptions, frequently funded or co-funded through OEM co-op programs, and supported by dedicated Dealer Success Managers.

Product overview

Catalyst IQ is an integrated automotive digital marketing platform built around MarketAI®, a real-time market intelligence engine. The platform unifies five core solutions: Digital Advertising (paid search, Google Vehicle Ads, social media, display, OTT/CTV), Website (high-performance dealer websites with VDP optimization), Engage (AI-powered lead capture and identification), SEO/AEO (search, answer engine, and generative engine optimization), all sharing real-time data through MarketAI. Key sub-products include VINScore (proprietary VIN-level scoring), Google Vehicle Ads integration, and the State of the Dealer industry report. Previously operating as Fox Dealer, the company rebranded to Catalyst IQ in 2025, having previously included DealerOn, CDK, Conquest, and LocalPower brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MarketAI: Real-time automotive market intelligence engine that tracks nearly 20,000 franchise and independent dealers, providing inventory intelligence, competitive pricing data, and demand signals.

Products and services

• MarketAI A real-time market intelligence platform that tracks nearly 20,000 franchise and independent automotive dealers and processes 30+ daily data signals to deliver VIN-level demand scoring and competitive market insights, sold to automotive dealerships and dealer groups.
• Digital Advertising Managed digital advertising services for automotive dealers, including paid media, Google Vehicle Ads, and inventory-level campaign execution informed by MarketAI intelligence.
• Dealer Websites High-performance automotive dealer websites built to convert shoppers and integrated with MarketAI and dynamic inventory feeds.
• Engage (AI-Powered Lead Capture) AI-powered lead capture and qualification solution, including conversational chat, that engages dealership website visitors and converts them into qualified sales leads.
• SEO and AEO Search Engine Optimization and Answer Engine Optimization services designed to improve dealer visibility across traditional search and AI-driven answer engines.
• Google Vehicle Ads Specialized Google Vehicle Ads campaign management service that promotes dealer inventory directly within Google's vehicle shopping experiences.
• VINScore VIN-level demand scoring output of MarketAI that ranks individual vehicles by likelihood to sell, enabling data-driven ad spend allocation.
• VDP Optimization Vehicle Detail Page optimization service that improves the content, structure, and conversion performance of individual dealer vehicle listing pages.
• State of the Dealer Report

Quantifiable outcome

• 135% increase in inventory turn rate for Genesis of Charlotte
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LetzChatcoreTechnology or Integration · 9 August 2021Partnership with LetzChat provides real-time translation capabilities in over 100 languages, integrated into Fox Dealer's (now Catalyst IQ) communication platform to enhance multilingual customer interactions via texting and chat tools for automotive dealers.
• Simplext DigitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 August 2021Acquisition of Simplext Digital, a provider of texting products for the automotive industry, to support the new live messaging service and enhance the Fox Chat platform for GM Canada dealers through the General Motors Dealer Digital Solution program.
• AcuracoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Acura dealers through manufacturer-approved channels.
• AudicoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Audi dealers.
• GM (General Motors)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner enrollment in GM Dealer Digital Solution program providing compliant digital marketing services to GM dealers.
• GM CanadacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner for GM Canada dealers with Fox Chat platform enhancement through the GM Dealer Digital Solution program.
• GenesiscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCertified partner in Genesis Digital Marketing Program with case study demonstrating success (Genesis of Charlotte became #1 volume GV80 dealer in U.S.)
• Harley-DavidsoncoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Harley-Davidson dealers.
• HondacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Honda dealers.
• HyundaicoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner with demonstrated results (Hyundai dealership grew sales 15% in down market while competitors saw 4% drop).
• INFINITIcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to INFINITI dealers.
• Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Jaguar and Land Rover dealers.
• KiacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCertified partner in Kia Digital Marketing Program with documented success (Blasius Kia achieved 83% increase in clicks and 47% lower CPC).
• LithiacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide digital marketing services to Lithia dealerships.
• LotuscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Lotus dealers.
• MaseraticoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Maserati dealers.
• MazdacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Mazda dealers.
• Mercedes-BenzcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Mercedes-Benz dealers.
• MitsubishicoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Mitsubishi dealers.
• NissancoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Nissan dealers.
• StellantiscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCertified partner in Stellantis BCDF promo program with documented success (218% sales increase in one month for Stellantis dealership).
• SubarucoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Subaru dealers.
• ToyotacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Toyota dealers.
• VolkswagencoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM-certified partner program enrollment enabling Catalyst IQ to provide compliant digital marketing services to Volkswagen dealers.
• YaleminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerEquipment OEM partner for heavy equipment dealer solutions with website design and inventory merchandising.
• HysterminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerEquipment OEM partner for heavy equipment dealer solutions with website design and inventory merchandising.
• MachineryTraderminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment marketplace partner integrated with heavy equipment dealer solutions for inventory distribution.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DealerOn: Direct competitor providing dealer websites, digital advertising, and SEO to automotive dealerships. Notably part of the brand history of Catalyst IQ itself, illustrating the competitive overlap and consolidation in this niche.
• LotLinx: Direct competitor using AI and VIN-level data to optimize automotive digital advertising. Targets the same dealer pain point of inefficient ad spend and provides comparable inventory intelligence capabilities.
• PureCars: Direct competitor providing digital advertising and data-driven marketing solutions specifically for automotive dealers. Overlaps with Catalyst IQ in paid search, social advertising, and inventory-based campaign optimization.
• Digital Air Strike: Direct competitor in automotive digital marketing, specializing in social media, lead response, and reputation management for dealers. Overlaps with Catalyst IQ's Engage and Digital Advertising offerings.

Broad incumbents

• CDK Global: Large incumbent automotive technology provider offering dealer management systems, websites, and digital marketing solutions. Competes with Catalyst IQ across the integrated dealer platform stack and has deeper OEM relationships.
• Cox Automotive (Dealer.com / Autotrader): Dominant automotive marketplace and dealer technology platform providing websites, inventory marketing, and digital advertising. Competes across multiple layers of Catalyst IQ's offering with massive scale.
• DealerSocket (Reynolds and Reynolds): Established dealer technology provider offering CRM, websites, and digital marketing tools. Competes in dealer website and lead management segments of Catalyst IQ's ecosystem.
• Yelp for Auto Dealers (Cars.com): Large automotive marketplace with dealer advertising products. Competes indirectly with Catalyst IQ in dealer lead generation and inventory merchandising, though more focused on marketplace than integrated marketing.

Emerging players

• AutoSweet (Auburn): Emerging automotive digital marketing platform focused on dealer lead generation and inventory merchandising. Represents the next generation of dealer marketing tools overlapping with Catalyst IQ's Website and Engage products.
• AutoCanada / HomeServices digital marketing peers (e.g., Scorpion): Adjacent vertical digital marketing platform serving SMBs including home services and dealers. Represents the broader category of AI-driven marketing platforms Catalyst IQ competes with as it expands into home services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CatalystIQTeam
• Facebookfacebook.com/CatalystIQTeam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foxdealer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fox Dealer (Now Catalyst IQ)